Burnout and neurotic symptoms among medical students

Abstract

Introduction

Medical studies are considered one of the most stressful majors and the medical profession is one of the most at risk of burnout. Some studies indicate the presence of symptoms of burnout already in the early stages of career, or even before it started, i.e. during studies preparing for the profession. Medical studies may be such a case and it can affect the mental health deterioration and cause the occurrence of both burnout and neurotic symptoms.

Objectives

Assessment of the impact of the course of studies on mental health of students and the risk of rapid burnout.

Aim

Estimation of the prevalence and severity of burnout and neurotic symptoms among medical student depending on the year of study.

Methods

Seven hundred and eighty-one medical students participated in the study. We used translated version of Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and Polish questionnaire – Symptom checklist S-III – for neurotic symptoms assessment.

Results

There was no significant difference in MBI-SS subscales and symptoms checklist between first and last year of studies. Difference turned out to be significant when 1st and 6th year students with 3rd year – in Symptom checklist (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), MBI-SS emotional exhaustion subscale (P < 0.01 for both) and depersonalization subscale (P < 0.01, significant only when compared with 1st year students).

Conclusions

Study revealed interesting pattern of burnout and neurotic symptoms, with theirs greatest severity at the beginning and the end of studies.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.